Human Milk Probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 Reduces the Incidence of Gastrointestinal and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Infants
- 2012-01
- Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 54(1)
- J. Maldonado
- F. Cañabate
- L. Sempere
- F. Vela
- A. R. Sánchez
- E. Narbona
- E. López-Huertas
- A. Geerlings
- A. Valero
- M. Olivares
- F. Lara‐Villoslada
- PubMed: 21873895
- DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3182333f18
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of a follow-on formula containing Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (L. fermentum) on the incidence of infections in infants between the ages of 6 and 12 months.
Patients and methods: A randomized double-blinded controlled study including infants at the age of 6 months was conducted. Infants were assigned randomly to either follow-on formula supplemented with L. fermentum plus galactooligosaccharide (experimental group, EG), or the same formula supplemented with only galactooligosaccharide (control group, CG). The main outcome was the incidence of infections for the 6-month duration of the study.
Results: The EG showed a significant 46% reduction in the incidence rate (IR) of gastrointestinal infections (EG: 0.196 ± 0.51, CG: 0.363 ± 0.53, IR ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.307-0.950, P = 0.032), 27% reduction in the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (EG: 0.969 ± 0.96, CG: 1.330 ± 1.23, IR ratio 0.729, 95% CI 0.46-1.38, P = 0.026), and 30% reduction in the total number of infections (EG: 1.464 ± 1.15, CG: 2.077 ± 1.59, IR ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.46-1.38, P = 0.003), at the end of the study period compared with CG.
Conclusions: Administration of a follow-on formula with L. fermentum CECT5716 may be useful for the prevention of community-acquired gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01215656.
Research Insights
| Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus fermentum | Reduced Incidence of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum | Reduced Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 | Reduced Incidence of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 | Reduced Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum HA-179 | Reduced Incidence of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum HA-179 | Reduced Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum HA-179 | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum Lf-33 | Reduced Gastrointestinal Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum Lf-33 | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum Lf-33 | Reduced Upper Respiratory Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum LF61 | Reduced Incidence of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum LF61 | Reduced Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum LF61 | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum MAK20L13F | Reduced Incidence of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum MAK20L13F | Reduced Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum MAK20L13F | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 | Reduced Incidence of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 | Reduced Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum UALf-32 | Reduced Incidence of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum UALf-32 | Reduced Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum UALf-32 | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum VPro 14 | Reduced Incidence of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum VPro 14 | Reduced Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus fermentum VPro 14 | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus genseni | Reduced Gastrointestinal Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus genseni | Reduced Total Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus genseni | Reduced Upper Respiratory Infections | Beneficial | Moderate |